Multi-purpose insulating barrel

ABSTRACT

A wood-stave barrel having an access port and sealable inlet and outlet holes which offers housing for plumbing and electrical systems. Primarily, a barrel adornment for a novelty shower which, when cradled above the user, provides an attractive mounting surface for a showerhead and creates the illusion that the shower is supplied by a barrel full of water. Alternatively, the present invention insulates, protects, and conceals sensitive valves, pipe fittings, manifolds, electrical junctions, and wire-nut connections within the sturdy confines of a barrel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/835,495, filed 2006 Aug. 7 by the present inventor.

FEDERALLY-SPONSERED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to outdoor showers and other such junction points for outdoor plumbing and electricity, including irrigation systems.

PRIOR ART

Barrels are primarily used for containing and transporting goods. They play a crucial role in the distillery of spirits and the fermenting of wines. Many alternative uses for barrels have been devised over the years to assist people with everyday tasks. Trash receptacles, wash tubs, decorative planters, barbeque smokers, rain collection systems, and furniture are just a few examples of how barrels, half-barrels, and barrel staves have found alternative use.

In addition to their various functional attributes and adapted uses, barrels also have a special aesthetic and symbolic value. The barrel conjures images of frontier America from the Colonial period to the Old West. To the modern day wine connoisseur, the barrel may be emblematic of a romantic agricultural process. The present invention offers an improvement to the use and function of any suitable wood-stave barrel, especially those coopered for wine, whisky, or beer. Accordingly, the aesthetic and symbolic value of the barrel is an important aspect of the design.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Besides the objects and advantages of the multi-purpose insulating barrel described in my provisional patent application, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

-   -   (A) To provide an improvement to the use and function of any         suitable wood-stave barrel, especially those coopered for wine,         whisky, or beer;     -   (B) To provide a sturdy and durable housing for protecting         sensitive valves, pipe fittings, electrical junctions, wire-nut         connections, and so on;     -   (C) To provide a means for insulating, protecting, and         concealing pipes in a barrel adornment for a novelty shower         which, when cradled above the user, offers a mounting surface         for a showerhead and creates the illusion that the shower is         supplied by a barrel full of water;     -   (D) To provide an access port and sealable inlet and outlet         holes in order that irrigation manifolds and other outdoor         plumbing and electrical junctions may be safely disposed inside         a barrel;

Further objects and advantages are to provide a durable housing which insulates, protects, and conceals outdoor plumbing and electrical systems, which is adaptable to a variety of configurations and uses, and which retains an appearance that is aesthetically-pleasing.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention a wood-stave barrel comprising an access port, sealable inlet and outlet holes, and a protective seal for waterproofing the barrel from the elements. 

1. In a housing of the type comprising a wood-stave barrel and sealable inlet and outlet holes, the improvement wherein said barrel insulates, protects, and conceals plumbing and electrical systems.
 2. The housing of claim 1 wherein said barrel is equipped with a port for accessing the inside of the barrel.
 3. The housing of claim 1 wherein said barrel is equipped with sealable inlet and outlet holes for stemming pipes, wires, and junctions through said barrel.
 4. The housing of claim 1 wherein said barrel may be filled with expanding urethane foam.
 5. The housing of claim 4 wherein said expanding foam encapsulates and protects said pipes, wires, and junctions inside said barrel.
 6. The housing of claim 1 wherein said barrel is made of a material other than wood staves and steel hoops, such as plastics, composites, or any other suitable material for keeping the elements from penetrating the inside of said barrel.
 7. In a housing of the type comprising a wood-stave barrel and sealable inlet and outlet holes, the improvement wherein said barrel insulates, protects, and conceals the pipes, fittings, and valves for a novelty shower.
 8. The housing of claim 7 wherein said barrel offers adornment to said novelty shower.
 9. The housing of claim 8 wherein said barrel offers a mounting surface for a showerhead.
 10. The housing of claim 8 wherein said adornment creates the illusion that said novelty shower is supplied by a barrel full of water.
 11. The housing of claim 7 wherein said barrel may be filled with expanding urethane foam.
 12. The housing of claim 7 wherein said expanding foam encapsulates and protects said pipes, fittings, and valves inside said barrel of said novelty shower.
 13. In a housing of the type comprising a wood-stave barrel and sealable inlet and outlet holes, improvement wherein said barrel insulates, protects, and conceals plumbing manifolds, such as those used for pools and irrigation systems.
 14. The housing of claim 13 wherein said barrel is equipped with a port for accessing individual valves and junctions for said manifold.
 15. The housing of claim 13 wherein said barrel provides a mounting surface for an electrical control panel for said manifold.
 16. The housing of claim 13 wherein said barrel may be filled with expanding urethane foam.
 17. The housing of claim 13 where in said expanding foam encapsulates and protects said manifold inside said barrel. 